Hello, fellow book lovers! I’m so excited to tell you what I thought about “An Elephant in the Garden,” a touching book by Michael Morpurgo. This amazing story combines real events with a fresh point of view that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the strength of friendships you wouldn’t expect.
Quick Summary
This book takes place during World War II and tells the strange story of Lizzie, her family, and their strange friend, an elephant named Marlene. At the start of the story, in 2011, Lizzie, who is 82 years old, talks to a nurse and her 9-year-old son Karl about her amazing experiences.
The Story Unfolds
Setting the Scene
The story takes us back to Dresden, Germany, in February 1945. Here’s where we meet
- Lizzie (16 years old)
- Her mother (Mutti)
- Her younger brother (Karli)
- Marlene (the elephant)
Mutti works at the Dresden Zoo and takes care of Marlene, an elephant that was left alone. As Allied bombing approaches, the zoo plans to put its animals to sleep so that they don’t get loose. But Mutti can’t stand the thought of losing Marlene, so she does something very strange: she brings the elephant home to stay in their garden!
The Great Escape
On February 13, 1945, everything changes. When the Allies start bombing Dresden, our strange family group has to run away:
- They join thousands of other refugees
- Face harsh winter conditions
- Deal with food shortages
- And yes… travel with an elephant!
Key Characters and Their Journey
Main Characters:
-
Lizzie
- Our main narrator
- Shows incredible courage throughout their journey
- Falls in love during their escape
-
Mutti
- Protective mother
- Zoo keeper with a big heart
- Makes tough decisions to keep her family safe
-
Marlene the Elephant
- More than just an animal
- Becomes part of the family
- Can run at speeds up to 25 mph (though they probably didn’t test this during their escape! )
-
Peter Kamm
- Canadian RAF navigator
- Found in a barn during their journey
- Becomes an unexpected ally and Lizzie’s love interest
The Journey West
Their trek westward is filled with challenges:
- Food shortages
- Avoiding German patrols
- Keeping Marlene hidden (not an easy task with an elephant!)
- Dealing with illness
- Meeting other refugees
A Safe Haven
During their journey, they find temporary shelter with a kind Countess who:
- Provides medical care for Karli
- Protects Peter from German authorities
- Asks them to help escort a children’s choir to safety
The Bittersweet Ending
The story doesn’t end when they reach Allied forces. Here’s what happens:
- Marlene gets scared by tanks and runs away
- The family is separated from Peter
- Years later, Lizzie and Peter reunite and marry
- They eventually find Marlene in a circus
- The family moves to Canada
Why This Book Matters
I think what makes this story special is how it shows:
- The impact of war on ordinary people
- The power of unexpected friendships
- How hope can survive in the darkest times
- That family isn’t always about blood relations
Reading Tips
If you’re planning to read this book, here’s what you should know:
- It’s suitable for middle-grade readers and up
- The story switches between past and present
- There are some references to war violence
- It’s based on historical events but includes fictional elements
My Personal Take
I gotta say, this book really got to me! The way Morpurgo weaves historical facts with such a unique perspective is amazing. Like, who’d have thought an elephant could make a war story more accessible and touching? It’s definitely not your typical WWII novel!
“An Elephant in the Garden” is more than just a war story – it’s a tale about love, courage, and the unexpected ways we find family. Whether you’re a history buff, animal lover, or just someone looking for a touching story, this book has something for everyone.
Have you read “An Elephant in the Garden”? What did you think about Marlene’s role in the story? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Fun Fact: Did you know that elephants can actually run at speeds of up to 25 mph? That’s faster than most humans! Though I’m pretty sure Marlene didn’t need to show off her top speed during their escape from Dresden!
Find This Book In
An epic story of love and determination about a family who runs away from the bombing of Dresden by the Allies in the Second World War.
Captivating Telegraph
Its 1945, and the bombing of Dresden is imminent. The zookeeper mother of Lizzie brings home Marlene the elephant before the bombs go off. It’s the only animal she can’t bear to lose.
When Lizzie and her family join the thousands of other refugees fleeing the city, they end up with more than one unusual companion .
In the early 1970s, Michael Morpurgo started writing stories because of the kids in his Kent primary school class. His books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide in almost 40 languages to date. Michael was knighted in 2018 for his work in literature and charity. He is currently President of BookTrust and was previously Children’s Laureate. He has won many prestigious awards including the Smarties Prize, the Writers Guide Award, the Whitbread Award, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Eleanor Farjeon Lifetime Achievement Award.
His novels have been adapted in a number of plays and films including War Horse directed by Stephen Spielberg (2011), Private Peaceful, Waiting for Anya and Kensukes Kingdom (2023) which has been nominated for Best Feature Film at the 2024 British Animation Awards
The National Theatre’s adaption of War Horse has been seen by over 10 million people in over 100 cities around the world, broke the West End record for weekly ticket sales and won 5 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards The National Theatres global phenomenon of War Horse is returning to UK theatres in September 2024.
A son and grandson of actors, Michael has acting in his blood and enjoys collaborating and performing live adaptations of his books at festivals, concerts and theatres.
Michaels books have been translated into many languages including Chinese, Bulgarian and Hungarian, Hebrew and Japanese. He travels all over the UK and abroad talking to people of all ages at literary festivals, telling his stories and encouraging them to tell theirs.
With his wife Clare, he set up the charity Farms for City Children, which offers children and teachers from inner-city primary schools the chance to live and work in the countryside for a week on one of the charity’s three farms in Devon, Gloucestershire and Wales. Over 100,000 children have visited the three farms run by the charity since it began in 1976. Teachers frequently comment that a child can learn more in a week on the farm than a year in the classroom.
For more information about the work of Farms for City Children, please visit www.farmsforcitychildren.org
Michael Morpurgo lives in Devon with his wife Clare.
Anthony Horowitz on Michael Morpurgo:
Michael Morpurgo is the most solid, classical of childrens authors. He sits outside the series-driven blockbusters so beloved of publishers nowadays: he hasnt created a Harry Potter or an Alex Rider – and I admire him for resisting that. We are opposite sides of the same coin and, although his work has never influenced mine, I admire the eloquent, considered voice of his best books. He has an unerring moral compass – his schoolteacher past has never quite left him – and books such as War Horse and The Butterfly Lion have a strong social concience and an honesty that makes them universal. (The Guardian)
In November 2016 Michael Morpurgo won the J M Barrie Award for his contribution to children’s literature. This award is given every year by Action for Children’s Arts to a “children’s arts practitioner” whose lifetime’s work has delighted children and will stand the test of time.
David Wood, chair of Action for Children’s Arts, said Morpurgo is “one of our greatest storytellers”. “Michael Morpurgo has thrilled and delighted huge numbers of young readers since becoming a children’s author in the early 1970s,” Wood said. “Action for Children’s Arts is delighted to recognise Michael’s outstanding contribution by presenting him with the J M Barrie Award 2016. His work will undoubtedly, like Peter Pan, stand the test of time, making him a truly worthy recipient of this award.”
Morpurgo added: “Storymakers and storytellers like Barrie, and like all the previous winners of this award, have given us the hope and faith children need, we need, to keep flying, have sustained us through dark and troubled times, have banished doubt. To touch the lives of children, to witness their listening and reading silence, is reward enough in itself. This is simply the icing on the cake.”
Take a peek at Michaels 10 Rules for Writing.
You can also read about his life in War Child to War Horse, a collaborative biography with Maggie Fergusson.
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An Elephant in the Garden Book Summary
FAQ
What is the moral of an elephant in the garden?
The book is a different take on Morpurgo’s favorite and clear-cut moral theme: the bravery of animals caught up in cruel human actions. Jul 16, 2010.
Is Elephant in the Garden based on a true story?
Inspired by a true story about an elephant rescued from a Belfast zoo during WWII, acclaimed British author Morpurgo (War Horse) pens a historical novel about a German family’s struggle to survive as their country is torn apart.
What happens at the end of an elephant in the garden?
Lizzie then tells the end of her story. Lizzie, Mutti, and Karli are sent to a “displaced persons” refugee camp, so she and Peter have to say goodbye. Peter gives Lizzie the compass as they say goodbye. She and Peter write to each other and plan to marry and live in Canada.
What happens to Marlene in Elephant in the Garden?
After the bombs begin to fall, the Zoo’s Director warns that the animals may have to be destroyed should they escape and be a danger to the public, even Marlene. Karli’s mother decides to keep Marlene in their garden so, with the Director’s permission, this is what happens.